Value. Love. Affirm. Develop.
Meet the Board
Anna Nikolin, Clinical Counselling and Support Lead, Founder, Director, Data Protection Officer.
I am a qualified psychotherapist and psychologist, the Founder and a Director of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals who face mental health challenges, social isolation, and barriers to care. This company is a legacy to my son, Vladimir, whose struggles with social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, self-harm, and functional neurological disorder led to his tragic death by suicide at the age of 17. His life and loss fuel my deep commitment to helping others who are often overlooked by traditional services.
In addition to this personal loss, I have faced my own battles with PTSD, CPTSD, homelessness, and discrimination as a refugee. These experiences have shaped my passion for supporting those who have limited access to mental health resources or are facing long waiting lists for care. I believe in creating safe, inclusive spaces for individuals who need support but may not have the financial means or the right services available to them.
Through V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, I am building a community where people can feel empowered, included, and supported—no matter the challenges they’ve faced. This organisation is my way of honoring Vladimir’s memory by offering others the help and compassion he never received. I am also deeply passionate about ongoing research and personal and professional development, always striving to improve the way we approach mental health support in our communities.
Mia-Helena Knight Nikolin Caisley, Person of Significant Control, Business Co-ordinator and Peer-mentoring Co-ordinator.
I am Mia-Helena Knight Nikolin Caisley. I am a 26-year-old who has faced and overcome significant challenges in life, shaping my understanding of resilience and empathy. As the eldest sister of Vladimir, who sadly passed away in May 2024 under deeply painful circumstances, I carry forward his memory and mission through assisting with the creation of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC. My lived experiences include navigating profound mental health struggles, addiction, and the effects of bipolar disorder, all of which stem from enduring severe trauma, including early-life exploitation and abuse, as well as domestic violence. These experiences have profoundly influenced our team's collective commitment to offering compassionate support to those who feel unheard or marginalised.
Despite these personal adversities, I’ve cultivated a strong professional foundation across various sectors. At just 18, I became an Executive Officer for Governance and Secretariat sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
I’ve worked in civil and family courts, formalising judicial orders, and as a Learning Support Assistant I’ve helped individuals with cognitive and developmental differences navigate their education and personal growth. My voluntary role at a residential alcohol service provided me with firsthand experience in supporting individuals battling addiction. I also hold a Level 2 Introduction to Counselling certificate and a Level 3 Certificate in Criminology, both of which have strengthened my ability to provide informed and empathetic support.
The establishment of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC reflects our team's collective response to the issues we have encountered personally and professionally. We are deeply passionate about creating inclusive support systems that prioritise empathy and understanding. Through counselling, peer-mentoring, and outreach, we aim to foster safe spaces where individuals can heal and thrive. Our goal is to address mental health, addiction, and trauma in ways that empower and uplift, ensuring that even the most vulnerable feel supported without fear of stigma or judgment. By sharing our journey in a thoughtful, sensitive manner, we hope to inspire hope and connection in others navigating their own challenges.
Megan Jupe, Director and Peer-mentoring Co-ordinator.
I’m Megan Jupe, a Director of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC. I’m in my mid-20s and I have personal experience with CPTSD and trauma, domestic abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, isolation and loneliness, addiction, and loss. I am also autistic and awaiting an ADHD assessment. While progress and healing has been slow over many years, I’m in a much better position than ever and really want to focus my time now on helping others within the community through difficult times. My personal experiences will allow me to connect on a deeper level with those who may not always feel heard or understood by the wider world. I am very honoured to be working for V.L.A.D. in Vladimir’s honour, having been a long-time friend of Mia’s.
Professionally, I have administrative experience across multiple industries. This primarily was within the financial services industry, namely investments, insurance, and mortgages. Working in these fields gave me experience helping those that were often vulnerable who need a higher level of compassion and understanding; for example, the elderly, disabled, and those planning their estates. I also have experience within project development, of which many skills I required are invaluable to being a Director of V.L.A.D.
Dominika Kudyba, Business Co-ordinator.
I am a dedicated advocate for mental health and a recovering alcoholic with over a year of sobriety. My personal journey, shaped by depression and addiction, has given me a deep understanding of isolation and despair. I am grateful for the support I found in others with similar experiences, which gave me the strength to start my own recovery. Now, as a peer mentor, I am honoured to pay it forward and help others recognize that recovery is possible.
My passion for mental health advocacy is also personal. I lost my father to suicide when I was 17, and his struggle with seeking help drives my mission to destigmatize mental health care, particularly for men. I believe that reaching out for support is a powerful step toward healing, not a sign of weakness.
In my work with people with learning disabilities, I’ve witnessed firsthand how challenging it can be for them to seek support. The barriers they face in accessing care often leads to feelings of frustration and helplessness, and I am passionate about breaking down those barriers to ensure they receive the understanding and help they deserve. By sharing my story and providing a safe space for others, I hope to inspire healing, understanding, and growth.
Graham Caisley, Operations Manager.
I’m Graham Caisley, and I’m the Operations Manager at V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, a role that allows me to combine my passion for supporting vulnerable individuals with my experience in community service. Before joining V.L.A.D., I worked as a coordinator at The Art House café, where I helped create a welcoming, inclusive space for local people. I also have extensive experience as a community childminder, running an Ofsted-registered home that provided a safe space for highly vulnerable young people, including those referred by social services. These roles have given me valuable skills in logistics, coordination, and creating environments where people, particularly young people, can feel safe and supported.
My background in community childminding has been particularly formative. In this role, I offered a secure and nurturing space for children in need, and I was dedicated to ensuring that every young person had the opportunity to thrive despite their circumstances. Working with vulnerable children has deepened my understanding of the importance of providing both emotional and practical support, and this is something I continue to prioritise in my role at V.L.A.D. Outreach. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that focuses on helping those who are most in need, particularly young people facing adversity.
I’m especially driven by a personal passion to make a difference, as I am a bereaved parent. The loss of my son has shaped the way I approach my work and fuels my dedication to V.L.A.D. Outreach. I see my involvement in the organisation as a way to honour his legacy—ensuring that the charity continues to provide critical support to vulnerable individuals in our community. Every day, I’m motivated by the opportunity to create positive change and offer a lifeline to those who need it most.
Masha Radakovic Nikolin Caisley, Publicity Officer.
I am a Learning Support Assistant in Special Education, as well as a volunteer for V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals who face mental health challenges, social isolation, and barriers to care. This company is a legacy to my brother, Vladimir, who struggled with social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, self-harm, and FND (functional neurological disorder) which resulted in Vlad taking his own life at only 17. His life and loss fuels my deep passion for helping others who have been overlooked by support structures, and those who have been let down by mental health services.
As well as my personal connection to the cause, I myself have battled with my own mental health - and have been let down in the past by exhausted and limited mental health support services in the UK. Throughout my job working in special education, I work with children who themselves face many barriers in their life, and have witnessed first-hand how being a listening ear, or someone to talk to can in turn make a difference in the lives of those who come from
marginalised communities.
These experiences, for different reasons, have created a passion for me to support those from marginalised communities with their mental health- as there are so many individuals in our society who experience barriers in their life, yet are stuck with long waiting lists and high costs for therapy. I am proud to be a part of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, to create a space where help is available to those who need it. Most importantly, this CIC allows for us to remember our dear Vlad, as well as to prevent what happened to him happening to others.
Chloe Andrews, Business Co-ordinator, Peer-mentor.
My name is Chloe Andrews and I’m a dedicated Peer-mentor and Business Coordinator who brings a wealth of lived experience to my role. Having navigated my own mental health struggles, previous domestic violence, different traumas which include the loss of multiple close friends to suicide, working with people within addiction recovery and current addiction, as a probation service officer I have worked with different types of individuals which has helped me understand a wide variety of problems people face, I am passionate about supporting others through their own journeys. With a deep understanding of the obstacles people face, I offer both empathy and practical advice to help individuals feel empowered, heard, and understood. My approach is rooted in personal experience, compassion, and a commitment to building trusting, supportive relationships. I believe in the power of shared stories and offer guidance that is both realistic and motivating, drawing on my own path of growth and resilience. I aim to create a safe space where individuals can explore their challenges, gain confidence, and develop the tools they need to succeed.